Tight-knit community creates special blanket

Regulars at the Dingemans Centre who value their tight-knit community have worked together to create a beautiful blanket.

The knitted creation is the work of members and volunteers at The Dingemans Centre and Café for Older People, who made it for The Salvation Army’s Hope Inn community programme.

Majors Iain and Ann Stewart from Horsham Salvation Army visited the centre in Steyning to collect the special donation.

Emma Seers, centre worker, said: “Our members and volunteers are a wonderful bunch and I’m delighted that they’ve been able to get together to produce this example of care for other members of our community.

“Sadly, one of our knitting members, Bill, passed away very recently and this blanket is a fitting tribute to him.

“As well as getting together to knit, we also do things like yoga, music, singing, gentle exercise and games – anything our members want to do.”

Over several months, the knitters busied themselves by making squares during quieter moments at the centre.

The project was managed by volunteer Gill Yates and all the squares were sewn together by volunteer Christine Downey.

Major Stewart said: “The Salvation Army’s Hope Inn programme is a drop-in on Thursdays at 6pm and supports homeless and vulnerably housed men and women.

“This blanket will be a positive contribution to this project, keeping the chill off someone as the cold is still a problem at nights when sleeping on the streets.”

The Dingemans Centre and Café for Older People is managed by Impact initiatives. It is open every Tuesday and Wednesday, and provides a variety of activities, including yoga, art, musical performances, gentle exercise classes, quizzes and delicious food to people over the age of 55 in Steyning and the surrounding area.

The café is also open on Sundays, serving a delicious lunch.

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